Robots Take Human Factor Out of Mining

More and more robots are making a variety of tasks and operations -- such as factory work, picking crops, and even noodle making -- more efficient, and mining is no exception.

Engineers have developed robots to take the human factor out of mining work and provide automation in the process, which not only makes it more efficient, but also less dangerous for the people involved. They also are developing robots that can greatly assist in efforts to rescue trapped miners, making this task also safer for those performing the rescue efforts.

Robotic innovations like Rail-Veyor's conveyor system for hauling materials in and out of mines are taking some of the human factor out of mining, making it more efficient and safe for workers. (Source: Rail-Veyor Technologies)

The Copper Cliff Mine 114 Orebody in Sudbury, Ontario, is using a robotic conveyor system to haul materials in and out of mines developed by Rail-Veyor Technologies Global. The Brazilian company that owns the mine, Vale, has been testing and installing the system for about two years and it’s now fully operational. “This investment allows us to test new and innovative mining technologies that could dramatically improve mining processes across our operations,” said Alex Henderson, a Vale general manager, in a press release.

The system is compact, consisting of a dump truck-like vessel and a conveyor belt with a light rail track that is one third of the weight of an average rail -- 40 pounds versus the typical 120-pound rail, according to the company. This compact design also allows the conveyor system to fit in small places in a mine, such as under bridges and tunnels, where it can clear obstacles. This reduces the cost of underground development of the mine, according to Rail-Veyor.

Rail-Veyor’s system is also nimble, traveling at grades up to 20 percent, with a turning radius of 30m. This also makes it more agile to travel in tight spaces, allowing it to go deep into mines where it may be dangerous for humans. GPS and sensor technologies can run the system automatically, though operators above the ground also can monitor it remotely, according to Rail-Veyor.

While Rail-Veyor’s system can make typical mine operations more efficient, another company -- Penguin Automated Systems Inc. (ASI) -- has built a robot called the Recon Robot System that can be used in rescue operations in case of a mine collapse or other disaster-type situation. The robots, which mine administrators also can use to evaluate and determine the stability of a mine, can be deployed for rescue operations in case part of the mine caves in and possibly traps miners.

Rescuers can deploy two robots weighing 1,500 pounds each, one to navigate and perform rescue tasks -- such as removing debris out of the path to the surface -- and another as a communications hub to establish contact with operators above ground.

The robot performing work has a navigation system and a boom with an HD camera attached to collect images from the mine, which the robot in charge of communications can receive signals from operators above ground and relay them to the worker robot, according to Penguin ASI.

All told, the robots each have four cameras and batteries that provide 12 hours of life, or six if the robots work at a 45-degree angle, according to Penguin. The company has designed the wheels of the robots -- of which there are eight arranged in pairs -- to allow them to move over debris and large pieces of rock in a mine, or to be fitted with track if appropriate.

Penguin’s robots are currently being deployed in a mine in Chile and also have been used to help in recovery efforts when a mall roof collapsed in Elliot Lake, Ontario, earlier this year.

TJ, thanks for a clear summary of the components of a robotic system. If this system, or parts of it, are self-driving for example, as Elizabeth's comment states, or partially autonomous in another way, then the label probably applies.(Total robot autonomy does not yet exist, except in fiction).

Is it robot or automatron? The big question is can it tell ore from just plain rock? Making judgement calls is sort of important in many instances, mining may be one of them. Automation and robots can do a lot, but the judgement calls are where the humans can usually win. Of course it may be possible for robots to learn the rules for that, as well.

That would be one very sophisticated robot that could tell ores apart. It would need a lot of intellgence, processing power, sophisticated algorithms and perhaps AI, plus very good image recognition software and would no doubt have to learn some geology, or at least be taught how to recognize the different types of ores.

Ann, that is exactly my point! A robotic miner can go through the motions and do a good job of collecting materials, but the judgement will not be there. Of course in some instances there will not be much need for judgement, such as when the material to be minede is not located in veins, but rather a braod band. And undoubtedly there are mines where the gains in safety far exceed the losses in efficiency. Probably there are also gains to be made by never sending humans in and therefore never needing to follow the same safety regulations. I suspect that there are not very many laws regarding the protection of automation equipment from disasters. The primary concerns would be economic instead of humanitarian. But that sort of thing could put human miners out of work. So there is a "social cost"

I work for a company that builds underground mining vehicles. Recently I had a week long class on mining safety that left me with a profound respect for the dangers involved in this profession (Coal mines are really nasty-opinion).

The more automation that can remove people from these high risk positions is OK by me.

Thanks for your input, Dennis. It's always nice to hear from people who are working directly in an industry and have first hand knowledge of how more automation and robots will affect the actual work environment they're entering.

Mining is a very old human endeavor (a few thousand years old) with, as Dennis points out, very high risks. The number of deaths that have resulted must be huge. Like military robots which can go where people can't, or where operations are too dangerous such as disarming IEDs, I can easily envision similar robots with similar skillsets/features for at least some mining operations.

Mining is much more dangerous in countries like China, where, if the report is correct, 1700 miners have been killed in mines so far this year. We seldom hear about that, mostly because the government would be embarrased if the truth got out. Probably the robot miners are too expensive for those mines to consider. That is what comes from putting a cheap price on human life. How else would you explain it?

Probably the best result would come from a totally new technology and a different means for recovering the energy from coal, instead of mining it and bringing it out in coal, cars. So we need others to consider some alternative ways to recover the energy. That could make somebody a real hero if they find a way.

This is an excellent example of cleverly applying expensive technology to a problem that begs for a completely different solution. Put the miners to work doing something else entirely like solar panel assembly taking care that they are protected against work hazards like chemical exposure etc. The robot might be better applied to mining other materials too and in a way that leaves the area fit for other uses. Coal is dirty and attempts to process and burn it cleanly have failed utterly with no solutions anywhere on the horizon. Moreover it is unnecessary. The human and environmental damage done already is enormous. This is not a political issue, it is an ethical matter. Engineers and engineering product companies have a large responsibility to create truely useful and helpful products.

Focus on Fundamentals consists of 45-minute on-line classes that cover a host of technologies. You learn without leaving the comfort of your desk. All classes are taught by subject-matter experts and all are archived. So if you can't attend live, attend at your convenience.